There is substantial evidence that banning the use
of conventional battery cages for laying hens could considerably improve the
health and welfare of these birds, according to a report published by the
Commission today. An EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into
force from 2012, in line with Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for
laying hens, and the report concludes that the 2012 deadline should be
maintained. Today's report details a number of independent scientific and
socio-economic studies which lend support to this measure by outlining the clear
benefits of changing to so-called 'enriched' cages or alternative (free range or
barn) rearing systems for laying hens. The report also lists a number of
recommended actions for the period leading up to the ban, including campaigns to
promote public awareness of the way hens are reared, in order to provide
competitive opportunities for EU producers.

Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health, said, "The Commission listened to
the demands of EU consumers and has taken concrete action to improve the welfare
of laying hens. The report today shows that there is scientific and economic
support for the ban on conventional battery cages.We are maintaining the
deadline of 2012 for banning conventional battery cages, as there is no reason
to postpone it. I urge operators to start phasing out the use of these cages as
soon as possible so that there is full compliance with the EU ban by the
deadline of 2012."

Banning conventional battery cages

Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for the protection of laying hens
states that, from 1 January 2012, the rearing of laying hens in conventional
(known as 'unenriched') cages will be prohibited in the EU. From that date,
laying hens will only be allowed to be reared in enriched cages or using
alternative systems such as barn or free range. Enriched cages must allow at
least 750 cm2 per hen, and contain a nest, litter, perch and
clawing-board. Farmers and operators were given a long transitional period to
adjust to this measure, and the Commission has been following the progress of
Member States in implementing the provisions of the Directive. All Member States
have been urged to step up their efforts in the phasing out of conventional
cages, so as to be in full compliance with this requirement within the deadline.

Animal health and welfare benefits

Any new EU legislative measure should be based on the latest scientific data
and advice. Therefore, the Commission requested that the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) assess the impact that the various housing systems for laying
hens have on the health and welfare of these birds. In its Opinion of November
2004[1], EFSA stated that
keeping laying hens in unenriched cages increased the risk of disease, bone
breakage, harmful pecking, behavioural problems and mortality.

"LayWel"[2], an EU-funded
research project, also confirmed that unenriched cages present serious animal
welfare problems and that there were clear benefits in changing to enriched
caging or alternative systems.

Economic considerations

The Commission report also examines the economic implications of banning
unenriched cages, taking into account concerns expressed by certain producers.
Drawing on the findings of an Agra-CEAS
study[3] on the socio-economic
consequences of the various systems for rearing hens, and on a study
commissioned by the industry, the report concludes that the cost of switching to
enriched cages could be less than 1 cent per egg. However, the higher animal
welfare standards can serve as a valuable selling point for EU producers. It is
extremely difficult for European farmers to compete with their counterparts in
certain third countries on production costs alone. However, EU producers can
have a competitive advantage by applying better animal welfare standards and
delivering high quality goods.

There is clearly a growing market for animal welfare friendly products.
Recent Eurobarometer surveys[4]
on consumer attitudes to animal welfare revealed that the majority of
respondents would be willing to pay more for eggs sourced through animal welfare
friendly production systems. Agra CEAS research revealed a steady increase in
the consumption of table eggs from non-caged hens in many of the EU-15 Member
States, while over the past 2 years, the amount of free range eggs sold by a
cross section of the top British retailers has almost doubled, and this trend
looks set to continue. Therefore, the mandatory requirement to improve housing
systems for laying hens offers EU producers a competitive advantage over third
country producers by meeting a growing consumer demand for welfare-friendly
eggs.